Remember September’s Prediction? Starz is Going HBO Route.

Back in September I heard from a source that Starz was not only pulling its content from Netflix, but also planning an app on the HBO Go model. Now we have confirmation from Starz President Chris Albrecht that a mobile app is on the roadmap for 2012. Not only that, but Albrecht said at an investor conference … Read more

A Tale of Two Kindles

While watching TV last night, I caught what may be Amazon’s second Kindle Fire commercial. As I’m fairly well acquainted with the 7″ Playbook tablet, what struck me was the amount of reflection and glare from the LCD. Which is perhaps somewhat ironic given Amazon’s earlier e-Ink Kindle spot that took a shot at the iPad … Read more

Arris Says Bring Your Own App to the Moxi Gateway

Some of us still mourn the days when Digeo could have launched a credible retail DVR product with its Moxi box, but at least the technology hasn’t gone away. After Arris’ acquisition of Digeo in late 2009, we finally saw the deal bear fruit earlier this year when the company rolled out its Moxi set-tops … Read more

Boxee’s Live TV Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Hot on the heels of news from the leaked 1.5 software build, Boxee has come clean with their “Live TV” intentions. Early next year, Boxee Box owners (of any stripe?) in the US & Canada will be able to purchase a USB tuner for $49. This accessory is designed to pull in digital, high definition over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. In addition to tuning HDTV, Boxee provides free guide data and incorporates their sharing/recommendation technology. Yet, they have no imminent plans to add recording functionality.

Does Boxee Live TV have a DVR? No. The focus of Boxee Live TV is well… Live TV… having said that if we get enough users asking for DVR then we could take advantage of that other USB input on the back of the box and let a user connect a drive for recordings. Plus we still have all the shows the web has to offer.

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Virgin Media TiVo Updates Start Tonight

Deployment of the big Virgin Media TiVo fall update begins tonight according to reports (and photos) from online forums. Amongst the changes are a refreshed YouTube app, full BBC iPlayer support, automatic padding, TiVo control via iPad or iPhone, and support for premium Spotify subscribers, with that app supposedly landing on the 29th. Additionally, there … Read more

The Kindle Fire… doesn’t burn so bright?

After perusing the various Kindle Fire reviews… I’ve suddenly lost interest. I obviously need to hit a Best Buy or Target and for some first hand tablet impressions, but my expectations of Amazon were probably too high. At the end of the day, what we’re dealing with is a skinned version of Android running on largely recycled hardware. Of course, going in, we knew that. Yet I’d hoped Amazon would transform the experience in more notable, integrated, and polished ways. Oh they’ll still sell a ton given Amazon’s exposure, via their own site and retail partners, and amazingly wallet friendly pricing ($199). But this gadget-loving Amazon Prime member who makes Kindle purchases is most likely sitting this one out (while continuing to pine for an Amazon Instant app on devices other than the Fire).

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Rovi’s Using that Modem in Your Set-Top

It’s the start of the SCTE Cable Tec-Expo in Atlanta, which means you’re going to see a lot of cable news over the next two days. Among the vendor announcements, Rovi’s put out two customer releases related to the company’s TotalGuide EPG solutions. BlueRidge Communications is now using the white label version of Rovi’s TotalGuide … Read more

New Lenovo Tablet a Chance to Get It Right?

There’s no shortage of tablets to consider for holiday shopping this year, though arguably only a few offer features and performance worthy of the price tag. Now Engadget has word that a new Lenovo 10.1″ tablet should hit retail before 2012. It’s not the first Lenovo tablet on the market, but it’s got some goodies … Read more